Gift Return Policies For Kohl's, Target, Walmart And More MD Retailers

MARYLAND — Whether you received clothing for Christmas that is the wrong size, or the wrong tool for do-it-yourself work around the house, gift returns are inevitable over the holidays. Many Maryland retailers have extended the time you have to return holiday gifts, even if you don't have a receipt.

Most stores will exchange merchandise, although a receipt simplifies and speeds up the return process. There's one area where that isn't true: Do not open the packaging for music, movies, video games or computer software if there's a chance you will return it. Once those items have been taken out of the package, the best you can hope for is an exchange for a similar item in the store.

Return policies vary widely among national retailers, from practically no limits at Costco to stringent rules that allow only unopened DVDs and computer software to be returned at Best Buy and other retailers.

Many businesses extend their normal deadline for returns for the holiday season, including Amazon's holiday policy, which gives you until Jan. 31 to return gifts that were purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31.

Among the stores known for their best return policies are Walmart, Nordstrom, L.L.Bean, Costco, Zappos, JCPenney and Kohl’s, according to RetailMeNot.com.

Here are some of the best store return policies, if you need them:

Walmart: The retailers offers extended holiday returns, so most items purchased between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31 are returnable through Jan. 31, 2025. Exceptions include Marketplace and consumer electronics items, which are only returnable within 30 days. When purchasing an item, double-check Walmart's full return policy for details.

Amazon: Most items purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 31, 2025. Apple brand products purchased between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 15, 2025. Learn more.

Target: Its standard 90-day return policy has a few exceptions. Holders of the RedCard, Target's credit card, have 120 days to make returns. If you're returning a Target brand item or an item from your registry, you have a full year to make the return. Target also offers an extended holiday return policy for certain items:

• For all electronics and entertainment items (excluding Apple & Beats products) purchased between Nov. 7 and Dec. 24, a 30-day refund period will start on Dec. 26, and items must be returned by Jan. 24, 2025.
• For Apple products, including Beats, and mobile phones purchased in-store or online as a pickup order between Nov. 7 and Dec. 24, a 14-day refund window starts on Dec. 26, and items must be returned by Jan. 8, 2025.

Best Buy: A standard 15-day return policy applies for most products and a 14-day return window for activatable devices like phones or tablets. My Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total members have a full 60 days to return anything purchased, excluding activatable devices. If you're returning a gift, you'll get store credit for the purchase price if you return it in a store. Best Buy's extended holiday return policy for purchases made Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 runs through Jan. 14, 2025, with a few exceptions.

Kohl’s: Most items can be returned up to 180 days after purchase. Exceptions are high-end watches, electronics and Sephora items; those purchased from Nov. 1 through Dec. 25 can be returned until Jan. 31.

Costco: There’s no time limit on some returns and no receipt is necessary except for a few items, including tires, batteries, cigarettes, and alcohol. Electronics, including computers, TVs, major appliances, cameras, tablets, and more, can be returned, but there’s a 90-day window that starts from the date the customer receives the item.

Eddie Bauer: The company used to allow returns anytime, but now it honors returns only for one year with proof of purchase, whether it’s a receipt or an Adventure Rewards number. Returns can be made in-store or via the mail (the company will provide a shipping label), whether the item was purchased online or in person. And any purchases made before Sept. 12, 2023, will be refunded as a store credit only.

Forever 21: Shoppers have 30 days to make returns. You must bring the original receipt or a gift receipt for returns of in-store purchases, and online orders can be returned via mail along with the packing slip or in-store. All items must be unworn and unwashed, and have the original tags attached.

Home Depot: Most items are eligible for returns for up to 90 days after purchase. They must be new and unopened, and as long as you have proof of purchase, you can get a refund by the original payment method, in cash, or as store credit. If you don’t have a receipt, try to make the return within 30 days and the company may be able to find your purchase in its system if you used a debit or credit card for the transaction. You’ll need to show ID to return items without a receipt.

Macy’s: Most purchases made from Oct. 7, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2024, will be accepted for return until Jan. 31, 2025.

JCPenney: Most purchases made on or after October 15th may be returned through January 15, 2025.

More return policies:

• Bath & Body Works: Returns are good for up to 90 days from purchase.
• Footlocker: 45 days from purchase
• Gap/Old Navy/Banana Republic/Athleta*: Returns are accepted within 30 days of purchase or delivery at Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic. You have up to 60 days from your purchase or delivery date to make a return at Athleta. If you purchase items between Oct. 25 and Jan. 5, you'll have until Jan 5 to return them.
• Home Goods/Marshalls/T.J.Maxx: Anything purchased in-store from Oct. 6 through Dec. 24 can be returned until Jan. 25. Online purchases can be returned until Jan. 24
• J. Crew: You have 30 days from date of purchase to return. If you ship an item back, a $7.50 shipping fee applies.
• L.L. Bean: Up to one year from date of purchase.
• Lowe’s: 90 days from date of purchase.
• Michaels: Returns are accepted within 60 days from purchase for most items. Exceptions are 14 days for custom framing orders and online-only costumes and accessory kits, must be returned 7 days prior to the holiday.
• Microsoft: Purchases made through Dec. 31 can be returned through Jan. 31.
• Nordstrom: Returns decided on a case-by-case basis.
• Nordstrom Rack: Items purchased Oct. 17 through Dec. 24 can be returned through Jan. 15.
• Overstock.com: You have 30 days from the date of delivery to return items.
• PetSmart: Returns are accepted within 60 days of purchase.
• Sam’s Club: Most items can be returned at any time. Electronics and appliances are 30 days after purchase.
• Ulta: For items bought between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, you have until Jan. 31 to return them.
• Williams-Sonoma: Purchase made Nov. 1 through Dec. 24 can be returned through Jan. 31.

This story includes reporting from CNET, Consumer Reports, Rossen Reports and Kiplinger.